Happiness is not dependent on what’s going on around you; it’s dependent on what’s going on inside you.

Gospel Corner

06/02/25

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4, NIV

Always Rejoice
When the apostle Paul wrote today’s Scripture, he had already been held in prison on false charges for several years. He’d also survived a shipwreck on the way to prison in Rome. You would think that he would be discouraged, surely he’d be complaining. But he was telling us that even when it doesn’t go your way, just keep giving God praise, keep thanking God that He’s working, and keep being grateful when you could be complaining. Keep thinking victory when you’re seeing defeat.

Happiness is not dependent on what’s going on around you; it’s dependent on what’s going on inside you. What kind of thoughts are you thinking? “I’ll never get well. I can’t break this addiction. I can’t be happy after this loss.” You’re thinking yourself discouraged. If you’re going to live happier, you have to tune that out. You can’t take in negative all the time and stay in faith. Paul added, “Think on things that are of a good report, things that are positive, hopeful.” Our thinking the right thoughts is the key to our happiness.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that no matter what my circumstances are that I don’t have to live discouraged and frustrated and unhappy. Thank You that You have made this day and I can rejoice and be glad in it. I will choose joy because I know You are in control. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

I received this praise report from a couple who attends our Grace Revolution Church in Dallas, Texas. It’s a beautiful example of how we walk in His protection and restoration as we are planted in the house of God.

This couple shared with me how their marriage had gone through a very challenging period, and how the church and the pastoral leadership had helped them through that difficult time.

It took us some time to realize that we needed to focus more on Christ rather than on ourselves and on our problems. What ultimately saved our relationship was focusing vertically on our Lord Jesus and not horizontally on each other.

We were declaring, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus,” which gave us a sense of how much God loves us and wants us blessed. Knowing that we are the righteousness of God through Christ is what healed our broken marriage.

Being able to rest in all that Jesus has done, and being able to hear and meditate on the Word, has been the best thing for us. He truly is the vine and we are the branches.

We now know that in every situation and circumstance, Christ is supplying our every need. He is the vine that will keep us supplied and where we need to be.

Knowing that “if it matters to me, it matters to God” was the last piece of the puzzle. We learned that there is no matter too small or too inconsequential to the Lord. Neither is there anything too big for Him to tackle for us.

My friend, can you see how important it is to be planted in a local church? In this couple’s case, being in a church that preached the truth of the gospel and having the wise counsel of leaders who walked the journey with them saved their marriage.

And can you sense their joy in knowing that the Lord Jesus is their vine who supplies their every need, and to whom nothing is too big or too small for them to bring? Read today’s verses from Psalm 92.

Bearing fruit in old age speaks of preservation, protection, and long life. God wants you not only to have long life, but to have quality of life and still be strong, healthy, and fruitful in your old age. And the way to have all of that is to be planted in the house of the Lord.

Beloved, if you are not regularly attending a local church, I want to encourage you to be planted in one. As you do so, may you, your career, your marriage, and your household flourish in every way!

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